The midfielder's current deal at Old Trafford is set to expire at the end of the season but United have the option of extending it until 2019.

And The Mirror report that United are set to trigger the extension after Mata turned down an offer from the big-money Chinese Super League which would have improved on his £165,000-a-week wages.

Juan Mata scored last time out for Manchester United in their 4-0 thrashing of Crystal Palace

Mata's team-mate and compatriot, Ander Herrera, is in a similar position with his deal due to expire this summer but United are also interested in extending his contract by another 12 months.

Herrera was voted United's 2016-17 Player of the Year but has lost his place to summer signing Nemanja Matic, with just one Premier League start this season.

The 28-year-old looks set to begin United's clash at Liverpool on Saturday though, with midfielders Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini currently unavailable through injury.

Mata meanwhile has fond memories of playing at Anfield. The Spaniard scored an acrobatic scissor kick as United beat Liverpool 2-1 there in 2015.

Ander Herrera looks set to join Mata in extending his deal at Old Trafford by a further year

Jose Mourinho's side have started the season in top form with six wins and one draw from their opening seven Premier League matches.

Striker Romelu Lukaku could become the first player to score eight goals in his first eight Premier League appearances for their new club when the sides meet in Saturday's early kick-off.

And he might fancy his chances against a leaky Liverpool side - who have conceded 12 goals in the league and are have one win in their last four matches following the 1-1 draw at Newcastle before the international break.